If it's Wednesday, we're reviewing.

It’s a New Year and we’re really looking forward to hitting our Goodreads goals. Last year, we freed ourselves from the constraints of not reading unfinished trilogies by declaring 2015 THE YEAR OF THE UNFINISHED TRILOGY. This year, we’re celebrating that freedom by starting some of the most hyped and exciting book series we’ve come across. The ones to keep on your radar through mid-year, so far, are listed after the jump.

2016 Most Exciting 1st Books In A Series

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard, publication date: January 5, 2016. We already got on board with this trilogy back in November, but the frenzy over this novel is at a fever pitch now that publication is tomorrow. Have you pre-ordered yours yet?

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken

Passenger by Alexandra Bracken, publication date January 5, 2016. There is an equal frenzy behind the Passenger machine, probably lead by the fact that it’s being funded by the Disney-Hyperion Star Wars money stockpiles. What hooked us from the beginning was the simple definition of passage used on the book flap:

passage, n.
i. A brief section of music composed of a series of notes and flourishes.
ii. A journey by water; a voyage.
iii. The transition from one place to another, across space and time.

Starflight by Melissa Landers

Starflight by Melissa Landers, expected publication February 2, 1016. The book flap gives us LOTS of hope in this science fiction novel: indentured servitude, a space craft crash, 2 opposite passengers adrift on an unfamiliar planet struggling to come together and overcome the odds.

The Shadow Queen by CJ Redwine

The Shadow Queen by CJ Redwine, expected publication February 16, 2016. We love badass females and no one sounds more badass than Lorelai Diederich, crown princess and fugitive at large, has one mission: kill the wicked queen who took both the Ravenspire throne and the life of her father.

The Girls from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig

The Girl from Everywhere by Heidi Heilig, expected publication date February 16, 2016. Sixteen-year-old Nix has sailed across the globe and through centuries aboard her time-traveling father’s ship. But when he gambles with her very existence, it all may be about to end. This is a the first of a duology.

Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie

Burning Glass by Kathryn Purdie, expected publication March 1, 2016. We are really looking forward to this story of Sonya who was born with the rare gift to feel what those around her feel—both physically and emotionally—a gift she’s kept hidden from the empire for seventeen long years. After a reckless mistake wipes out all the other girls with similar abilities, Sonya is hauled off to the palace and forced to serve the emperor as his sovereign Auraseer.

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton

Rebel of the Sands by Alwyin Hamilton, expected publication March 8, 2016. Not only is this one of the books in our Penguin Teen book box giveaway this January 2016, but the story of Miraji has captivated our hearts: She’s more gunpowder than girl—and the fate of the desert lies in her hands.

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead

The Glittering Court by Richelle Mead, expected publication April 5, 2016. A dazzling new fantasy series set in a mix of Elizabethan and frontier worlds that’s dripping with romance from Richelle Mead, #1 internationally bestselling author of Vampire Academy.

The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye

The Crown’s Game by Evelyn Skye, expected publication May 17, 2016. This book sounds absolutely thrilling: Vika Andreyeva can summon the snow and turn ash into gold. Nikolai Karimov can see through walls and conjure bridges out of thin air. They are enchanters—the only two in Russia—and with the Ottoman Empire and the Kazakhs threatening, the Tsar needs a powerful enchanter by his side. And so he initiates the Crown’s Game, an ancient duel of magical skill—the greatest test an enchanter will ever know. The victor becomes the Imperial Enchanter and the Tsar’s most respected adviser. The defeated is sentenced to death.

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab

This Savage Song by Victoria Schwab, expected publication June 7, 2016. We’re already HUGE VE Schwab fans thanks, in part, to her wonderful A Darker Shade of Magic series. But that doesn’t mean we can’t love another series in process. This unique, fast-paced adventure takes a look at the monsters we face every day—including the monster within.

As I Darken by Kiersten White

And I Darken by Kiersten White, expected publication June 28, 2016. This first in The Conquerors Saga, we were immediately sold on the retelling of the story of Dracula as a woman. More badass females in 2016!!

Of course, this list is in no way comprehensive, but we think it’ll give you a great start into some of the great reading promised for 2016! This is the first in a 3-part series on upcoming 2016 releases. See you tomorrow when we bring you continuing and concluding book series we’re excited for in 2016. Happy Reading!

8 thoughts on “2016 Cliff Notes: New Book Series for the New Year”

YAAASSSS! I loved Truthwitch, Passenger, and Starflight! I love that Passenger and Starflight are part of duologies (as opposed to trilogies – or worse, a quartet, like Truthwitch!). I am very impatient. 😀 I hope you enjoy all of these books when you get a chance to read them! 🙂